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SOUL EATER by Atsushi Ohkubo

Maka is a weapon meister, determined to turn her partner, a living scythe named Soul Eater, into a powerful death scythe — the ultimate weapon of Death himself! Charged with the task of collecting and devouring the tainted souls of ninety-nine humans and one witch, Maka and her fellow meisters strive to master their weapons as they face off against the bizarre and dangerous minions of the underworld. But the meisters’ own personal quirks may prove a bigger obstacle than any sultry enchantress!

Maka is a weapon meister, determined to turn her partner, a living scythe named Soul Eater, into a powerful death scythe — the ultimate weapon of Death himself! Charged with the task of collecting and devouring the tainted souls of ninety-nine humans and one witch, Maka and her fellow meisters strive to master their weapons as they face off against the bizarre and dangerous minions of the underworld. But the meisters’ own personal quirks may prove a bigger obstacle than any sultry enchantress!

The remedial assignment continues as Soul and Maka confront Dr. Franken Stein, the man behind Sid-sensei’s unfortunate transformation and the strongest meister ever to graduate from Death Weapon Meister Academy. Even without a weapon, his massive soul dwarfs them all—even big shot Black*Star! Can Maka rally her strength to face Stein in battle, or will despair be her downfall?

Tsubaki and Black*Star set off on their most difficult mission yet: a battle with the Uncanny Sword Masamune, a soul on the brink of becoming a Kishin. But this fight holds personal significance for Tsubaki — their target is her older brother. Jealous of her inherited talents, Masamune is holding nothing back. Usually docile and complacent, Tsubaki must find the strength to overtake the Uncanny Sword before she too is sucked into the darkness.

At Maka’s request, she and Soul meet with Doctor Stein for an intensive tutoring session. Although Stein warns that they may never be able to resonate again if they fail to complete the training, Maka insists, desperate to become stronger so that Soul is never hurt again. But Soul’s strange nightmares have made him reluctant to seek power, and his unwillingness to share his fears only frustrates his partner. With their soul wavelengths pulling apart, will Maka and Soul be able to come together when danger emerges on their next assignment?

On the night of DWMA’s anniversary celebration, every meister and weapon in Death City has gathered at the school for an evening of music and dancing. Little do they know that the witch Medusa is about the crash Shinigami-sama’s party. Trapping the meisters inside, the witch makes her way to the chamber where the First Kishin is imprisoned. Will the few meisters who’ve managed to escape be enough to prevent Medusa from rousing the madness that slumbers far below in the Kishin’s domain?

Death the Kid and Black*Star race after Free and Eruka, ready to do whatever it takes to stop the Black Blood before it is used to revive the slumbering First Kishin. Meanwhile, Maka has allowed herself to slip into madness in an effort to reach Crona’s troubled soul. In addition to being horribly embarrassing, her actions carry a great risk. If Maka can’t find Crona fast, she too will be consumed by madness!

Shinigami-sama summons the strongest weapons from around the world to contain the rogue kishin and the spread of his madness. As these powerful weapons strategize for what will be the most difficult battle of their lives, the students of DWMA try to get back to their normal lives as best they can. For Maka, adjusting to the dangerous times is nothing compared to Crona’s stuggle to adjust to life as a DWMA student!

While Black*Star and Tsubaki keep Mifune and Mosquito distracted, Sid is able to locate Arachnophobia’s demon tool and put an abrupt end to their sinister plans. But though the evil organization won’t be manipulating anyone’s morality anytime soon, the blueprints for the dangerous tool are sealed away in Shinigami-sama’s secret vault rather than destroyed. Surely Shinigami-sama would never think of constructing a demon tool himself?!

Crona’s loyalties are torn as Medusa regroups and plots to beat both DWMA and her sister, Arachne, in the arms race for Eibon’s demon tools. As the madness of the Kishin continues to spread, Maka, Black*Star, and Kid begin even more rigorous training to master their weapons and work together as a team. Will they be ready to face Arachnophobia in time for their next mission? Or will internal strife tear them apart?!

With Doctor Stein unable to carry on, Maka, Kid, and Black*Star enter the magnetic field to take up the mission and locate the tempestuous demon tool known as Brew. Time is quickly running out as the three face off against Mosquito, struggling to harmonize their wavelengths within the magnetized vortex. They’ll be lucky to escape with their lives, let alone the demon tool!

SOUL EATER Volume 11 by Atsushi Ohkubo

November 2012 | ISBN: 978-0-316-07115-4 | $11.99 (12.99) | 192 pages | 5”x 7.5″ | Older TeenArachnophobia has taken the offensive and spreads the Kishin’s madness throughout the world, using “BREW” to threaten anyone who stands in their way. In the wake of attacks at home and abroad, DWMA sends its top students to quell the madness and gather information wherever they can. But the madness is spreading much quicker and is stronger than they had anticipated. When confronted by an incarnation of the Kishin’s madness itself—the sinister Clown—will Maka and Soul fall victim to it’s manipulations?

The DWMA student body is still reeling after the news that one of their own is a witch. But as one young witch flees Death City, another has come back to DWMA hoping to strike a deal with Shinigami-sama. Medusa has already proven herself a traitor to the school, but the information she offers is critical to DWMA’s efforts to take down Arachnophobia and curb the spread of madness. Can Medusa be trusted to lead a team of students into the heart of enemy territory?!

As Maka and a team of DWMA students slip into Baba Yaga Castle in the guise of Arachnophobian guards, Black*Star opts for his usual style of entrance: loud and without a trace of subtlety! But although Black*Star doesn’t seem to have changed much on the outside, inwardly he has at last found the way to harness the true power of the Uncanny Sword. And that means he’s ready to test his blade in a round three rematch against swordsman Mifune! Will Black*Star’s transformation be enough? Or will he once again find himself at the mercy of the great samurai?!

When “BREW” activates in the middle of his battle with Mosquito, Death the Kid’s soul wavelength is amplified to a whole new level! But once Mosquito has recovered from the shock of seeing the real “BREW” in action, he redoubles his efforts to destroy the young shinigami before the intruders from DWMA unlock the way to the Spider Queen Room. Will Kid’s awakened power be enough to defeat Mosquito’s deadly form?!

Deep in the belly of Baba Yaga Castle, Maka, Soul, and Medusa prepare to face Arachne in her own chambers. Arachne has grown even stronger since their last meeting, and even the crafty Medusa is caught in her sister’s twisted web. As Arachne’s intense madness threatens everyone in and around the castle, Soul must perform a string concerto that will move his audience to their very souls…or be caught in the witch’s net himself!

Like the other members of the newly formed Spartoi unit, Maka and Soul undergo rigorous training, probing the boundaries of Soul’s hard-won new potential as a weapon. Maka’s soul perception ability has made her the enemy’s next target, and she and Soul will have to kick it up to a whole new level—and fast! Noah and his followers are coming, ready or not!!

The enemy of my enemy is…still my enemy?! As the madness of the Kishin continues to threaten the world, Noah and Medusa race to find Asura and ally themselves with him. With Noah reliant on demon tools and Medusa on her experimental black blood, DWMA must devise ways to combat both evils while trying to seek and destroy Asura themselves!

As Kid struggles against the madness deep in the Book of Eibon, a group of Spartoi members race to rescue their friend. Through page after page of Lust, Gluttony, and Envy, the students must conquer the seduction of their own fears and desires to reach the final chapter! Will their efforts be enough to give this tale a happy ending?!

In his madness, Death the Kid has embraced a new notion of “order”: Only in nothingness can there be true balance and equilibrium. But for Black*Star, being on equal footing with anyone is not his style. Black*Star has always wanted to “transcend the gods”-now his only chance may be to overpower his shinigami friend and take Death down if he wants to save him…!

Kid has been freed from Noah’s greedy clutches, but The Book of Eibon remains at large. Noah was a troublesome foe, but the vast knowledge contained within the book could itself be dangerous-and information is not all that lies in its pages… Meanwhile, Crona has resurfaced in Moscow, his madness and Medusa’s maternal pressure having all but consumed the friend Maka once knew. The question is how many will be devoured by Crona’s madness before he can be stopped?!

Crona’s crimes have become too terrible to ignore, and the troubled youth is added to Shinigami’s list. Hoping to reach her friend first, Maka extends her soul perception ability to engulf the entire planet. But the sweep delivers even more than she had bargained for-the location of the Kishin’s hideout!

The remaining Death Weapons, along with Kid, gather to stage their assault on the moon. As they approach the Kishin’s hideout, Stein and Justin clash in a violent, madness-fueled battle. Stein struggles to maintain his grip on sanity while Justin draws power from the Kishin’s inexhaustible aura of madness. Everyone knows there will be casualties on the road to restoring “order”-but will Stein become the first?

Kid enters the witches’ realm to appeal for help! Though they have been DWMA’s enemies for years, the witches share a respect for order–and are equally threatened by the Kishin. Kid’s immediate goal is to deal with the situation on the moon, but he hopes that the negotiations will forge a new pact between DWMA and witches in the future–assuming anyone survives the Kishin’s madness!

DWMA braces for the final showdown as the Kishin awakens from his slumber at heart of the moon. Unable to contain his rage, Noah is the first to attack, the Book of Eibon and “BREW” fueling his assault. But despite his formidable efforts, Noah is overcome not by the Kishin, but by the sudden appearance of Crona. With the world hanging in the balance, DWMA can only wonder who will prove to be the greater foe–the Kishin…or Crona…

Kid’s sense of order stands in sharp contrast to the unpredictable madness of the Kishin. But order and madness are two sides of the same coin. When Asura challenges the “tyrannical” Shinigami and his laws that serve to control humans’ lives, Kid can feel the tendrils of madness within himself seeking purchase. The bonds of his friendships and his faith in order are tested to their limits as Asura makes his final stand against the forces of DWMA. When the moondust settles, who will emerge as lord of this world–Shinigami or Kishin?